YRM-61303 From Topic to Thesis Proposal

Course

Credits 3.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Individual Paper2
Lectures6
Literature study
Tutorial12
Course coordinator(s)dr. H Tobi
Lecturer(s)dr. PA Tamas
Examiner(s)dr. H Tobi

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Two advanced disciplinary courses of the Research Master Variant in MID and MME, YSS-20306 Quantitative and Qualitative Research Techniques in the Social Sciences; SDC-21306 Methods, Techniques and Data Analysis for Field Research (or SDC-33306 Methodology for Field Research in the Social Sciences).

Contents:

This is an advanced course which is part of the Research Master Variant in the MSc programmes MID and MME. The general aim of this course is to acquire insight in the process of (getting started with) research and the methodology pitfalls you may encounter between formulating a research problem and writing a scientific paper. This course addresses methodology issues of importance to quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research. Topics in the course are: Research as a way of thinking, Formulating research questions, From concept to variable, Choosing a research design, Types of data collection instruments, Sampling, and Ethical issues in data collection.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course you will be able to:
- critically assess proposals at the MSc level;
- formulate research questions and decide on the appropriateness of hypotheses;
- make an informed choice between a number of study designs;
- make an informed choice between a number of data collection techniques;
- decide on a sampling strategy suitable for your research.

Activities:

- workshops;
- self-study assignments;
- critical appraisal of other students' work.

Examination:

- exam (25%);
- final Assignment (75%).
To pass this course, you needs both the assignment and the exam to have a grade of at least 5.5.

Literature:

To be announced.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Restricted Optional for: MMEManagement, Economics and Consumer StudiesMSc6
MIDInternational Development StudiesMSc6